4 months after Cup matchup, Sharks, Penguins meet again

Updated 8:53 pm, Wednesday, October 19, 2016

The stakes are nowhere near the same: a chance to hold the Stanley Cup compared with two points in the standings in the second week of a long season.

Still, the Sharks and Penguins expect the atmosphere to be a little more heated than the usual NHL October game when they meet in Pittsburgh on Thursday night barely four months removed from the Penguins’ six-game victory in the Stanley Cup Finals.

“It was obviously tough to go on that long a journey and lose the way we did,” San Jose head coach Peter DeBoer said. “I don’t think there was any doubt at the end of the day they deserved to win. But at the same time, I think for us, it’s a chance to go in, and we’re a different team this year, and make a statement that we are a different team this year.”

Wednesday’s games: Rookie Patrik Laine completed a hat trick 2:40 into overtime, helping host Winnipeg overcome a four-goal deficit to beat Toronto 5-4. Laine tied the game with 55 seconds left in regulation before winning it in overtime. Nazem Kadri had two goals for the Maple Leafs, who led 4-0 early in the second period. ... Jimmy Howard made 32 saves to lead visiting Detroit to a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers.

Sharks on Thursday

Who: Sharks (3-1-0) at

Pittsburgh (2-1-1)

When: 4 p.m.

TV/Radio: CSNCA/98.5

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